Switch with thermal overload and instantaneous tripping incorporating fuse manual and vacuum switch inter-rupting means



Ma h 1966 s. o. RODESEIKE ETAL 3,

SWITCH WITH THERMAL OVERLOAD AND INSTANTANEOUS TRIPPING INCORPORATINGFUSE MANUAL AND VACUUM SWITCH INTERRUPTING MEANS Filed Jan. 23, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 1 OFF I55! March 1956 s. o. RODESEIKE ETAL 3,240,901

SWITCH WITH THERMAL OVERLOAD AND INSTANTANEOUS TRIPPING INCORPORATINGFUSE MANUAL AND VACUUM SWITCH INTERRUPTING MEANS Filed Jan. 23, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent SWITCH WITH THERMAL OVERLOAD AND IN-STANTANEOUS TRIPPING INCORPORATING FUSE MANUAL AND VACUUM SWITCH INTER-RUPTING MEANS Sigurd 0. Rodeseike, Greensburg, Pa., and Philip L. Camp,Stonington, Conn., assignors to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company,Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 23, 1964,Ser. No. 339,727 8 Claims. (Cl. 200-114) The instant invention relatesto circuit protective devices and more particularly to protective meansfor use in relatively high capacity current circuits in the electricalpower and distribution field wherein the protective means is comprisedof a fused switch having thermal over-load tripping, therebyincorporating current-limiting fuse, thermal, instantaneous magnetic andmanual vacuum switch tripping operations in cases of either over-load orsevere short-circuit conditions.

In the fused interrupter switch field, present day interrupter switchdesign is usually normally comprised of a fuse element series connectedwith an interrupter switch which is so designed as to place the fusemember in series with the circuit being protected. The fuse providescurrent-limiting characteristics so as to severely limit the large surgecurrents which may develop during a fault current condition in order toprotect the circuit components in series with the fuse member. Suchfuses are designed to blow in response to high fault current conditionsand simultaneously therewith to limit the let-through current so as toprotect the components in the circuit in series connection with thefuse. However, there are no presently available fused interrupter switcharrangements which provide thermal and manual, as well as instantaneoustripping capabilities as well as providing a manual and instantaneoustripping operation without removing the fuse from the series connectedcircuit and further to provide instantaneous tripping before the fusehas an opportunity to blow so as to provide a wider latitude ofprotection regardless of the fault current condition which may develop.

The instant invention provides an interrupter switch assembly having arefillable and replaceable current-limiting fuse element combined inseries operation with a vacuum switch and mechanical trip means in asingle substantially continuous housing arrangement to provide thermal,instantaneous and manual operation of the vacuum switch as well as thecircuit protection afforded by the fuse.

The instant invention is comprised of a fuse switch housing assemblydivided into a fuse, a mechanism and a vacuum switch compartment withthe appearance of the assembly being substantially cylindrical inconfiguration. The fuse compartment is positioned at the top of thesubstantially barrel-shaped assembly and is provided with a heat sinkand thermal member which is removably clamped to the barrel assembly toprovide for ready replacement of the fuse sub-assembly. The positions atthe lower end of the fuse compartment are thermal probe means andtrigger pin means which extend through the bottom of the fusecompartment into the mechanism compartment.

The mechanism compartment is comprised of a cylindrical metallic housingenclosed in its top and bottom ends by the lower and upper ends of thefuse and vacuum switch compartments respectively. The metallic housingof the mechanism housing compartment is employed as the current carryingmeans between the fuse and vacuum switch compartments. The mechanismhousing contains an operating mechanism mechanically cou- "ice pled to areciprocally mounted operating plunger which forms part of the vacuumswitch. The mechanism compartment further includes trip means controlledby the fuse compartment pin means and bi-metal means controlled by thefuse compartment thermal probe, which trip and bi-metal means aremechanically linked to the operating mechanism. In addition thereto, themechanism compartment is further provided with instantaneous trip meanswhich operates under the control of the current carried by the vacuumswitch to provide instantaneous tripping of the operating mechanism,which under such control acts to rapidly open the vacuum switch means.

The vacuum switch compartment is electrically conected to the conductivehousing of the mechanism compartment and contains a vacuum switch, thelower end of which is connected to the lower terminal of the vacuumswitch compartment.

The fused interrupter switch assembly may be mounted upon a draw-outtype switchgear carriage, such that it is pivoted at its lower terminaland may be mechanically connected and/or disconnected at its upper endto a stationary terminal. The mechanical operating means for moving theassembly into and out of engagement with the stationary disconnectterminal is both mechanically and electrically coupled to the conductivehousing of the mechanism compartment and the link therebetween isprovided with a lightning arrester assembly. By placing the lightingarrester assembly into the connecting link this electrically connectsthe arrester between the fuse and the switch means, thus protecting theswitch contacts from large current surges.

By suitable adjustment of the instantaneous and thermal trippingmechanisms, it has been found that these mechanisms in combination witha amp fuse, for example, yields protection in a range from zero toapproximately 2000 amps before operation of the fuse member. In anapplication utilizing a 300 amp fuse, protection in the range from 09000amps is obtainable. With such an arrangement it is possible to save thefuse from operating on all exwpt major faults. Further adjustments makeit possible to blend the three characteristics, fuse, thermal andinstantaneous tripping operations so as to control any given portion ofany fuse characteristic in accordance with the needs of the user.

It is therefore one object of the instant invention to provide a fusedinterrupter switch arrangement incorporating fuse, thermal andinstantaneous tripping operations.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a novel fusedinterrupter switch arrangement housing a fused, thermal, instantaneousand manual tripping mechanism, and vacuum switch means within a singlehousing.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a novel fusedinterrupter switch arrangement housing a fused, thermal, instantaneousand manual tripping mechanism, and vacuum switch means within a singlehousing wherein the above three sub-assemblies are arranged in separatecompartments within the housing.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a novel fusedinterrupter switch arrangement housing a fused, thermal, instantaneousand manual tripping mechanism, and vacuum switch means within a singlehousing wherein the above three subassemblies are arranged in separatecompartments within the housing and wherein the fuse element of theassembly is arranged so as to be replaceable.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a novelfused interrupter switch assembly having fuse operating mechanism andvacuum switch sub-assemblies arranged in separate compartments within asingle '3 or housing wherein the central compartment containing theoperating mechanisms is electrically coupled to the upper and lowercompartments by its conductive cylindrical housing. v

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a novelfused interrupter switch arrangement having fuse operating mechanism andvacuum switch subassemblies arranged in separate compartments within asingle housing wherein the central compartment is coupled to the upperand lower compartments by its conductive cylindrical housing which, inturn, is electrically connected to mechanical operating means for movingthe housing into and out of engagement with its cooperating stationaryterminals whereby the mechanical operating means is further providedwith lightning arrester means in order to protect the vacuum switchcontacts from surges during the operation thereof.

These and other objects of the instant invention will become apparentwhen reading the accompanying description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a fused switch designed in accordance withthe principles of the instant invention and further showing the use ofsuch a switch assembly in conection with draw-out switchgear.

FIGURE 2. is a side view of the fused switch assembly of FIGURE 1showing the switch housing in greater detail.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fused switch assembly ofFIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fused switch assembly ofFIGURE 3 taken along the line 44.

FIGURE 5 is a graph showing the time=current characteristics of thedevice of FIGURES 1-4. 7

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURES 1-4, there isshown therein a fused interrupter switch 100 for use in a draw-out typeswitchgear assembly 10, see FIGURE 1. The assembly 10 of FIGURE 1 iscomprised of a draw-out or roll-out type carriage 11 pro vided withsuitable wheels 12 for rolling the carriage 11 along the floor 13 andinto and out of a cooperating compartment (not shown) for receiving thecarriage 11. The carriage 11 is provided with a vertical rear wall 14having upper and lower disconnect terminals 15 and 16 respectively, eachbeing provided with conductive fingers 15a and 16a for making electricalcontact with the stationary disconnect terminals (not shown) providedwithin the compartment employed to house the draw-out assembly 10. Aground shoe 17 is provided at the lower end thereof for the purpose ofgrounding the carriage 11 when the drawout assembly 10 is in itsconnected position within the compartment which receives it.

Also mounted upon the vertical rear wall 14 is an auxiliary contactmeans 18 which is provided for the purpose of giving additionalelectrical indication of switch position and switch/fuse operation.

The lower disconnect terminal 16 has secured thereto a stationaryconductive terminal 19 which projects into the interior of the draw-outcarriage housing 20. This conductive terminal 19 is provided with asuitable aperture (not shown) for receiving a pin means 21 to pivotallycouple the lower terminal 101 of the fused interrupter switch assembly100. The upper terminal 102 of assembly 100 makes sliding engagementwith a set of drawout fingers 1512 which are coupled to upper disconnectterminal 15. With the arrangement of FIGURE 1 the assembly 100 isdesigned to pivot about pin 21 so as to bring upper terminal 102 intoand out of engagement with the draw-out finger set 15b.

The mechanism of the switch assembly 100 is under control of theoperating mechanism 22 positioned at the lower end of assembly 10 andoperated by means of a manual charging and operating handle 23 coupledto the operating mechanism 22 and accessible exterior of the door 24 ofcompartment 20. The operating mechanism 22 is provided with an arm 23pivoted at 24. The upper end of arm 23 is linked at 25 to one end of aconnecting link 26 which link 26 is a lightning arrester. The upper endof lightning arrester 26 is linked at 27 to the tripper bar arm 103 ofthe fused switch assembly 100. The lightning arrester 26 is provided dueto the fact that its connection with the switch assembly is made to ahot or live element thus permitting bypass of the lower compartment ofthe switch assembly 100 during high current surges in a manner to bemore fully described.

The draw-out assembly 10 of FIGURE 1 may further be provided with anauxiliary compartment 28 for housing other desired equipment.

FIGURES 2-4 show a fuse switch assembly 100 as being comprised of anupper conductive terminal 102 having a cylindrical conductive baseportion 102a which serves the dual function of upper terminal and heatsink. The upper terminal 102 is rigidly clamped by means of a suitableclamping ring 104 to a cylindrical organic and hence insulating tube105. Tube 105 is threaded at 105a so as to threadedly engage the tappedinner portion 104a of clamp ring 104. The lower end of insulating tube105 is likewise tapped at 1051; so as to threadedly engage a secondclamping ring 106 which is tapped along its inner surface 106a forthreaded engagement with the lower end 105b of tube 105. The fusesub-assembly 107 is housed within insulating tube 105 and is comprisedof an upper copper diaphragm terminal 108 which makes physical andelectrical engagement with the terminal 102. The fuse sub-assembly 107is further comprised of a porcelain plug 119 about which is wound themain fuse element 110 which is normally wound in a helical manner in themanner shown in FIGURE 3. Immediately adjacent the porcelain plug 109and positioned longitudinally in cylinder 105 is a trigger wire chamber111 secured at the upper end thereof to couple diaphragm terminal 108 atthe lower end thereof to a housing 112 containing an explosive materialor charge 113 for actuating a striker pin 114 which functions in amanner to be more fully described in order to cause the switch mechanismto perform a tripping operation of its vacuum switch. All of theseelements are housed within a ceramic former 115 which is a cylindricaltube extending in the vertical direction within the tube 105. The regionbetween ceramic former 115 and insulating cylinder 105 is filled withsliver sand material 116 (see FIGURE 4) which is designed to act as anarc quenching powder. The fuse sub-assembly 107 described hereinoperates and is designed so as to be substantially similar to the fusestructure described in U.S. Patent 3, 012,121, entitled Electric Fuses,filed by B. C. Hicks, issued December 5, 1961, and assigned to theassignee of the instant invention. For a detailed description of theoperation of the fuse sub-assembly the readers attention is drawn to theabove mentioned US. patent. For the purpose of understanding the instantinvention it is sufficient to understand that the helical wires 110 aredesigned to melt in a predetermined fashion so as to destroy the currentpath between the upper and lower copper diaphragms 108 and 116 and atthe same time to severely limit the let-through current which is presentbefore this current path is severed. The operation of the triggerassembly is such that the wire ele-- ment 111, when sufficiently heateddue to the current path therethrough acts to ignite the explosive chargein chamher 112 causing the pin 114 to be driven downward in very rapidfashion in order to initiate a tripping operation in a manner to be morefully described.

Immediately below the copper diaphragm terminal 116a is a heat sink andterminal member 117 which is formed of a conductive materialsubstantially the same as the element 102. This heat sink and terminal117 cooperates with the conductive housing 121 of the mechanismcompartment 120 to establish a current path from upper terminal 102through the fuse sub-assembly 107 and the lower terminal 117 to theconductive mechanism hous- 6 ing 121. Housing 121 is substantiallycylindrical in shape and is provided with an upper flange 122 which issecurely clamped beneath the clamp ring 106 in the manner shown. Thisflange makes engagement with the lower circular periphery of lowerterminal 117.

The mechanism compartment or sub-assembly 120 is further comprised of asmaller compartment 123 positioned at the upper end of the mechanismhousing 121 and provides the housing means for the trigger pin 114 thelower end of which 114a is positioned immediately adjacent a tripper bar124 pivoted at 125. Compartment 123 also houses a bimetallic element126, the lower end of which 126a is positioned immediately adjacent a U-shaped portion 1270 of the diaphragm member 127. The bi-metal means 126is further provided with an adjustable member 128 which projects outsideof the conductive housing 121 in order to adjust the bimetal ratings forthe desired operation thereof.

The diaphragm 127 is further comprised of a first vertical link 129 anda second horizontal link 130 with link 129 being pivotally connected todiaphragm 127 at 131 and with link 130 being connected to link 129 at132. The opposite end of link 129 is further pivoted at 132a anddiaphragm 127 and link 130 are movable about the pivot points 131 and132. Their motion is controlled by the over-center operating mechanism133 which is comprised of a U-shaped stationary member 134 having aspring member 135 secured thereto at one end 136. The opposite end ofspring member 135 is secured to the operating handle 103 at 136a. Theintermediate portion of spring member 135 is coupled to the knee of atoggle mechanism at 138. The toggle mechanism is comprised of links 139and 140 coupled to form a knee at 138 and is pivotally linked at 141 and142 to the diaphragm member 127 and plunger member 151 respectively.

The lower portion of the housing compartment 120 is sealed by adisc-shaped conductive member 144 which makes electrical contact withthe lower flange 122a of conductive housing 121 and which is clampedunder a clamp ring 145 which rigidly clamps flange 122a and terminal 144to the insulating housing 152 of the vacuum switch compartment 150.Clamp ring 145 is substantially similar to the clamp rings 104 and 106described previously and is tapped in a similar manner to threadedlyengage the threaded upper portion of the insulating housing 152.

The vacuum switch compartment 150 is sealed at its lower end by a copperterminal 101 which is clamped to the housing 152 by a clamp ring 153which is substantially similar to clamp rings 104, 106 and 145. Theinner surface 101a of copper terminal 101 makes electrical contact withthe lower terminal 155 of vacuum switch 154. The upper terminal 156 ofvacuum switch 154 makes electrical engagement with the conductive copperdisc 144 thus establishing the current path through the vacuum switchcompartment 150. The vacuum switch 154 may be any suitable type vacuumswitch presently available which is provided with a pair of cooperatingcontacts (not shown) which are operated into and out of engagement bymeans of the reciprocating plunger 151. Any typical vacuum bottle can beemployed to perform the instantaneous magnetic load break and overloadswitching of currents up to 30004000 amps at zero through approximately23 kv. These bottles should be able to withstand let-through currents of20,00050,000 amps peak. Numerous bottles are presently available tocover this range. Typical bottles which may be employed are the JenningsRHSG or R9G. Such bottles are preferable because loads and strokes ofthese bottles are such as to make possible an operating mechanism to beused which is small enough to be built within the central portion of theassembly 100.

The instantaneous magnetic trip means is comprised of a circular ortoroidal magnetic member 157 secured to the lower face of copperdiaphragm 144. The magnetic member 157 cooperates with an instantaneoustrip armature ring 158 positioned immediately above the magnetic member157.

The vacuum switch 154 which is positioned within the magnetic member 157acts as a one-turn winding so that p when a severe over-load or faultcurrent condition occurs magnetic member 157 becomes heavily magnetizedcausing the armature ring 158 to be drawn downward toward magneticmember 157. This movement is coupled to the trip member 124 by means ofthe link 159 to set off the operation of the tripping mechanismcontained in the mechanism compartment 120.

The operating mechanism functions in the following manner:

The operating mechanism is set by pushing the spring member to the leftthrough the operating rod 103 in the manner shown'by arrow 160. Thiscompresses spring member 135 and also urges the knee 138 of the togglemechanism to the left of the ends 141 and 142 of the toggle mechanism.This action causes the links 139 and to be almost fully extended so asto push plunger 151 vertically downward and diaphragm 127 verticallyupward.

In order to perform the instantaneous tripping operation the severeover-load or fault current condition causes magnet 157 to draw armature158 downward. This downward vertical motion is imparted to the tripperbar 124 causing it to rotate clockwise so as to move diaphragm 127'fromthe clockwise direction about its pivot point 131. This causes the pivotconnection 141 of the toggle mechanism to move to the left relative toknee 138. This enables the spring member 135 to discharge so as torapidly urge knee 138 in the direction shown by arrow 161. This movementcauses the diaphragm 127 to move very rapidly in the clockwise directionand further causes the link 129 to move very rapidly about its pivotpoint 132 in the counterclockwise direction. This causes the plunger 151to move rapidly in the upward vertical direction to disengage thecontacts (not shown) of the vacuum switch 154.

The tripping operation under control of the fuse trigger pin occurs whensufiicient heat is generated due to the over-load or short-circuitcurrent condition causing the explosive charge 113 to drive pin 114vertically downward. This downward vertical motion is imparted totripper lever 124 causing it to move the diaphragm 127 in the samemanner as previously described so as to operate vacuum switch 154 to thedisengaged position.

The tripping operation under control of the bi-metal occurs duringmoderate over-load conditions and when the bi-metal 126 is sufficientlyheated it is urged vertically downward so that its lower end 126a bearsagainst U- shaped portion 127a of diaphragm 127. This urges pivot point141 to the left of knee 138 to provide the tripping operation of vacuumswitch 154 in the same manner as described above. In cases where it isdesired to adjust the bi-metal setting this is performed by adjustingthe indicator handle 128 which is accessible at the exterior of thehousing assembly 100 as shown in FIGURE 2. The calibrations for thenecessary adjustment are provided on the face of the conductive housingcompartment at 164.

The instantaneous trip mechanism may likewise be adjusted by means ofthe instantaneous trip calibrating lever 166 which is likewiseaccessible at the exterior of the operating mechanism compartment, asshown in FIG- URE 2. The calibrations 167 provided on the surface of thehousing 121 can best be seen in FIGURE 2 and simplify the setting of theinstantaneous mechanism.

The condition of the operating mechanism can be read by the calibrations168 provided on the face of housing 121 in the manner shown in FIGURE 2.

The fuse sub-assembly 107 is a refillable arrangement which may readilybe replaced simply by removing clamp ring 104, terminal 102 andcopperdiaphragm 108 in order to replace the entire sub-assembly. The useof porcelain as the core 109 and the silver sand as filler 116 provideoutstanding heat transfer characteristics which combine with the Organicoutside tubing 105 and provides sufficient heat to the thermal devicecavity 111 and cavity 119 with the thermal probe 119 providingsufficient heat for operation of the bi-metal 126. The thermal probeperforms the overload operation, thus permitting the fuse design toconcentrate on producing a relatively fiat characteristic to allowthermal and instantaneous tripping to be performed for most conditionswhile keeping let-through current suificiently low enough to protect thevacuum bottle contacts (not shown).

The fuse thermal probe 119 is a thermal sensing device which senses thetemperature of the fuse and acts to operate the mechanism latch.

The thermal probe is also available for operating relay circuits andremote metering devices in order to continuously monitor a condition ofthe fused switch. The actual bi-metal 126 employed may be a helicalbi-metal element or an expanding rod member which may be employed ofhigh magnitude shock resistance characteristics. The adjustment of the'bi-metal can be provided by biasing the twist of the bi-metal. Thiswould change the pick-up of the element but would not change thecharacteristic to any great degree. Another way of adjusting thebi-metal pick-up is by varying the position of an adjustable heat shieldaround the bi-rnetal element which can be placed under control of thecalibrating arm 128. Such an arrangement can be devised to either cut-inor out the higher temperatures to change the shape of the thermal curve.As one example, an expanding gas detection means can be used to performthis function. A latched snap action tripping means can be provided forthe bi-metal operation thus requiring a mechanical reset. The resetoperation, however, can be performed simultaneously with the resetoperation of the toggle mechanism 139-440 and operating spring 135. Thiscan be provided for by supplying a link between the operating member 103and the diaphragm 127 in order to reset the bi-metal device.

With the use of the operating mechanism in the center compartment 120 itis possible to either close or open vacuum switch 154 only after a resetoperation has taken place. An indication will be registered directly onthe mechanism at 168 as shown in FIGURE 2, however if the fuse 107 hasblown, the fuse striker pin will interfere with the reset latch andprevent locking in of the mechanism 120. Thus it will be impossible toclose the vacuum switch 154 before the blown fuse assembly 107 has beenreplaced. In this manner it will readily be seen that the trip ON, OFFand RESET operations are performed by pushing lever 103 up or down so asto traverse the are 137 in order to initiate the appropriate action.

Although the fuse mechanism handle 103 is hot as indicated by thefiexure member 169 secured between rod 103 and conductive housing 121,the lightning arrester 26 (-see FIGURE 1) protects the switch contactsof vacuum switch 154 from current surges due to the connection oflightning arrester 26 between the fuse chamber 107 and the vacuum switchchamber 150.

FIGURE 5 is a curve showing the limits of melting and total clearing fortwo fuses which may be employed in the assembly 100. In addition theproposed thermal and instantaneous trip characteristics is shown for 100amp and 600 amp ratings respectively.

The plot 200 of FIGURE 5 is a plot of current along the x axis againsttime (in seconds) along the y axis with curve 201 showing the minimumoperating time for the instantaneous trip device, curve 202 showing themaximum operating time for the instantaneous trip device, dotted curve203 showing the minimum operating time for the thermal trip, curve 204showing the maximum operating time for the thermal trip, curve 205 showsthe melting characteristics for the 170 amp fuse, curve 206 shows thetotal clearing characteristics of the same fuse, curve 207 shows themelting characteristics for the 300 amp fuse and curve 208 shows thetotal clearing characteristics for the 300 amp fuse.

Considering the 300 amp fuse, it can be seen to be completely protectedby the thermal and instantaneous trips from zero to about 9000 amps. The170 amp fuse is protected from 0-450 amps and from 700 amps to 2000amps. The 170 amp fuse is unprotected in a range between 450 and 700amps. However, if the thermal trip device is set to approximately ofratings its characteristic will move toward the left on the graph andits maximum operating limit will move down and blend in with the maximumoperating limit of the instantaneous trip at approximately the 700 amp 6second point 209. Thus complete protection will also be established forthe amp fuse from zero to approximately 2000 amps.

As another possibility, if the thermal trip is held constant as shown,but the instantaneous trip is adjusted down to approximately 400 amps,the 170 amp fuse will be protected from zero to approximately 3000 amps.In the manners described herein, it can be seen that in practice itbecomes possible to save the fuse from operating on all except majorfaults. It likewise becomes possible to blend the three characteristics,fuse, thermal, and instantaneous, such as to control any given portionof any given fuse characteristic.

It can therefore be seen that the instant invention provides a fusedinterrupter switch arrangement which has the capability of fused,thermal, instantaneous and a manual opening by virtue of a fuseoperating mechanism and vacuum switch compartment provided thereinwherein the vacuum switch compartment is protected against currentsurges, the fuse sub-assembly is completely replaceable and the centralcompartment housing is the conductive link between the upper and lowercompartments to provide the current surge protection through a lightningarrester. The use of the three devices permits an extremely widelatitude of inter-relationships between the fused, thermal andinstantaneous characteristics to prevent the fuse from operating on allbut major faults and further provides the complete assembly which may beoperated in the same manner as prior art fused interrupter switches, butwhich has the characteristics not presently obtainable through presentday devices.

Although there has been described a preferred embodiment of this novelinvention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited,not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Fused switch means comprising substantially cylindrical housing meansdivided into first, second and third compartments arranged in tandemfashion; said first compartment being at one end thereof and housingreplaceable fuse means comprising a fusible element; heat responsivetrigger means having a trigger pin extending into said secondcompartment; and thermal probe means having a first end thereofextending into said second compartment; said third compartment being atthe opposite end of said housing means and housing vacuum switch means;said vacuum switch means having a reciprocally mounted plunger meansextending into said second compartment; annular magnetic meanssurrounding said vacuum switch means and positioned in close proximityto said second compartment; said second compartment being intermediatesaid first and third compartments and h0using operating means; saidoperating means comprising annular armature means positioned in closeproximity to said annular magnetic means; a pivotally mounted tripperbar mechanically linked to said armature; said trigger pin meanspositioned in close proximity to said tripper bar said trigger pin meansbeing responsive to current of a predetermined magnitude for rotatingsaid tripper bar; bimetal means associated with said thermal probemeans; movable diaphragm means connected to said bimetal means and saidtripper bar means; an operating mechanism comprising a toggle mechanismhaving a first and second end and a knee pivot; said toggle means firstend connected to said diaphragm means; said toggle means second endconnected to said plunger means; spring means having a "stationary firstend; said knee pivot being connected to said spring means intermediatethe ends thereof; operating lever means connected to the second end ofsaid spring means and movable in a first direction to charge said springmeans; said toggle means being moved to an extended position when saidspring means is charged to close said vacuum switch means; saiddiaphragm being movable under control of either said tripper bar or saidbimetal means to release said charged spring means; causing said togglemeans to collapse; said vacuum switch being opened when said togglemeans collapses.

2. Fused switch means comprising substantially cylindrical housing meansdivided into first, second and third compartments arranged in tandemfashion; said first compartment being at one end thereof and housingreplaceable fuse means comprising a fusible element; heat responsivetrigger means having a trigger pin extending into said secondcompartment; and thermal probe means having a firs-t end thereofextending into said second compartment; said third compartment being atthe opposite end of said housing means and housing vacuum switch means;said vacuum switch means having a reci rocally mounted plunger meansextending into said second compartment; annular magnetic meanssurrounding said vacuum switch means and positioned in close proximityto said second compartment; said second compartment being intermediatesaid first and third compartments and housing operating means; saidoperating means comprising annular armature means positioned in closeproximity to said annular magnetic means; a pivotally mounted tripperbar mechanically linked to said armature; said trigger pin meanspositioned in close proximity to said tripper bar said trigger pin meansbeing responsive to current of a predetermined magnitude for rotatingsaid tripper bar; bimetal means associated with said thermal probemeans; movable diaphragm means connected to said bimetal means and saidtripper bar means; an operating mechanism comprising a toggle mechanismhaving a first and second end and a knee pivot; said toggle means firstend connected to said diaphragm means; said toggle means second endconnected to said plunger means; spring means having a stationary firstend; said knee pivot being connected to said spring means intermediatethe ends thereof; operating lever means connected to the second end ofsaid spring means and movable in a first direction to charge said springmeans; said toggle means being moved to an extended position when saidspring means is charged to close said vacuum switch means; saiddiaphragm being movable under control of either said tripper bar or saidbimetal means to release said charged spring means; causing said togglemeans to collapse; said vacuum switch being opened when said togglemeans collapses; said second compartment having a metallic cylindricalhousing having a first end thereof electrically connected to said fusemeans and a second end electrically connected to said vacuum switchmeans; said metallic housing containing said operating means.

3. Fused switch means comprising substantially cylindrical housing meansdivided into first, second and third compartments arranged in tandemfashion; said first compar-tment being at one end thereof and housingreplaceable fuse means comprising a fusible element; heat responsivetrigger means having a trigger pin extending into said secondcompartment; and thermal probe means having a first end thereofextending into said second compartment; said third compartment being atthe opposite end of said housing means and housing vacuum switch means;said vacuum switch means having a reciprocally mounted plunger meansextending into said second compartment; annular magnetic meanssurrounding said vacuum switch means and positioned in close proximityto said second compartment; said second compartment being intermediatesaid first and third compartments and housing operating means; saidoperating means comprising annular armature means positioned in closeproximity to said annular magnetic means; a pivotally mounted tripperbar mechanically linked to said armature; said trigger pin meanspositioned in close proximity to said tripper bar said trigger pin meansbeing responsive to current of a predetermined magnitude for rotatingsaid tripper bar; bimetal means associated with said thermal probemeans; movable diaphragm means connected to said bimetal means and saidtripper bar means; an operating mechanism comprising a toggle mechanismhaving a first and second end and a knee pivot; said toggle means firstend connected to said diaphragm means; said toggle means second endconnected to said plunger means; spring means having a stationary firstend; said knee pivot being connected to said spring means intermeditaethe ends thereof; operating lever means connected to the second end ofsaid spring means and movable in a first direction to charge said springmeans; said toggle means being moved to an extended position when saidspring means is charged. to close said vacuum switch means; saiddiaphragm being movable under control of either said tripper bar or saidbimetal means to release said charge-d spring means causing said togglemeans to collapse; said vacuum switch being opened when said togglemeans collapses; said second compartment having a metallic cylindricalhousing having a first end thereof electrically connected to said fusemeans and a second end electrically connected to said vacuum switchmeans; said metallic housing containing said operating means; saidoperating lever being electrically connected to said metallic housing;lightning arrester means electrically connected between said operatinglever and ground potential to protect said vacuum switch from currentsurges.

4. Fused switch means comprising substantially cylindrical housing meansdivided into first, second and third compartments arranged in tandemfashion; said first compartment being at one end thereof and housingreplaceable fuse means comprising a fusible element; heat responsivetrigger means having a trigger pin extending into said secondcompartment; and thermal probe means having a first end thereofextending into said second compartment; said third compartment being atthe opposite end of said housing means and housing vacuum switch means;said vacuum switch means having a reciprocally mounted plunger meansextending into said second compartment; annular magnetic meanssurrounding said vacuum switch means and positioned in close proximityto said second compartment; said second compartment being intermediatesaid first and third compartments and housing operating means; saidoperating means comprising annular armature means positioned in closeproximity to said annular magnetic means; a pivotally mounted tripperbar mechanically linked to said armature; said trigger pin meanspositioned in closed proximity to said tripper bar; said trigger pinmeans being responsive to current of a predetermined magnitude forrotating said tripper bar; bimetal means associated with said thermalprobe means; movable diaphragm means connected to said bimetal means andsaid tripper bar means; an operating mechanism comprising a togglemechanism having a first and second end and a knee pivot; said togglemeans first end connected to said diaphragm means; said toggle meanssecond end connected to said plunger means; spring means having astationary first end; said knee pivot being connected to said springmeans intermediate the ends thereof; operating lever means connected tothe second end of said spring means and movable in a first direction tocharge said spring means;

said toggle means being moved to an extended position when said springmeans is charged to close said vacuum switch means; said diaphgram beingmovable under control of either said tripper bar or said bimetal meansto release said charged spring means causing said toggle means tocollapse; said vacuum switch being opened when said toggle meanscollapses; said second compartment having a metallic cylindrical housinghaving a first end thereof electrically connected to said fuse means anda second end electrically connected to said vacuum switch means; saidmetallic housing containing said operating means; said operating leverbeing electrically connected to said metallic housing; lightningarrester means electrically connected between said operating lever andground potential to protect said vacuum switch from current surges; saidbimetal means and said magnetic member being designed to operate toprevent said fuse means from blowing under all conditions but severefault current conditions.

5. Fused switch means comprising substantially cylindrical housing meansdivided into first, second and third compartments arranged in tandemfashion; said first compartment being at one end thereof and housingreplaceable fuse means comprising a fusible element; heat responsivetrigger means having a trigger pin extending into said secondcompartment; and thermal probe means having a first end thereofextending into said second compartment; said third compartment being atthe opposite end of said housing means and housing vacuum switch means;said vacuum switch means having a reciprocally mounted plunger meansextending into said second compartment; annular magnetic meanssurrounding said vacuum switch means and positioned in close proximityto said second compartment; said second compartment being intermediatesaid first and third compartments and housing operating means; saidoperating means comprising annular armature means positioned in closeproximity to said annular magnetic means; a pivotally mounted tripperbar mechanically linked to said armature; said trigger pin meanspositioned in close proximity to said tripper bar; said trigger pinmeans being responsive to current of a predetermined magnitude forrotating said tripper bar; bimetal means associated with said thermalprobe means; movable diaphragm means connected to said bimetal means andsaid tripper bar means; an operating mechanism comprising a togglemechanism having a first and second end and a knee pivot; said togglemeans first end connected to said diaphragm means; said toggle meanssecond end connected to said plunger means; spring means having astationary first end; said knee pivot being connected to said springmeans intermediate the ends thereof; operating lever means connected tothe second end of said spring means and movable in a first direction tocharge said spring means; said toggle means being moved to an extendedposition when said spring means is charged to close said vacuum switchmeans; said diaphragm being movable under control of either said tripperbar or said bimetal means to release said charged spring means; causingsaid toggle means to collapse; said vacuum switch being opened when saidtoggle means collapses; said housing assembly having first and secondelectrode terminals at opposite ends thereof; drawout switchgearcarrying means having upper and lower electrode terminals, said fuseassembly second electrode being pivotally connected to said lowerterminal; said fused switch assembly first electrode releaseablyengaging said upper terminal.

6. Fused switch means comprising substantially cylindrical housing meansdivided into first, second and third compartments arranged in tandemfashion; said first compartment being at one end thereof and housingreplace able fuse means comprising a fusible element; heat responsivetrigger means having a trigger pin extending into said secondcompartment; and thermal probe means having a first end thereofextending into said second compartment; said third compartment being atthe opposite end of said housing means and housing vacuum switch means;said vacuum switch means having a reciprocally mounted plunger meansextending into said second compartment; annular magnetic meanssurrounding said vacuum switch means and positioned in close proximityto said second compartment; said second compartment being intermediatesaid first and third compartments and housing operating means; saidoperating means comprising annular armature means positioned in closeproximity to said annular magnetic means; a pivotally mounted tripperbar mechanically linked to said armature; said trigger pin meanspositioned in close proximity to said tripper bar; said trigger pinmeans being responsive to current of a predetermined magnitude forrotating said tripper bar; bimetal means associated with said thermalprobe means; movable diaphragm means COIlnected to said bimetal meansand said tripper bar means; an operating mechanism comprising a togglemechanism having a first and second end and a knee pivot; said togglemeans first end connected to said diaphragm means; said toggle meanssecond end connected to said plunger means; spring means having astationary first end; said knee pivot being connected to said springmeans intermediate the ends thereof; operating lever means connected tothe second end of said spring means and movable in a first direction tocharge said spring means; said toggle means being moved to an extendedposition when said spring means is charged to close said vacuum switchmeans; said diaphragm being movable under control of either said tripperbar or said bimetal means to release said charged spring means; causingsaid toggle means to collapse; said vacuum switch being opened when saidtoggle means collapses; said housing assembly having first and secondelectrode terminals at opposite ends thereof; drawout switch-gearcarriage means having upper and lower electrode terminals, said fuseassembly second electrode being pivotally connected to said lowerterminal; said fused switch assembly first electrode releasably engagingsaid upper terminal; second operating means for moving said fused switchassembly first terminal into and out of engagement with said upperterminal; said second operating means being mechanically andelectrically linked to said operating lever.

7. Fused switch means comprising substantially cylindrical housing meansdivided into first, second and third compartments arranged in tandemfashion; said first compartment being at one end thereof and housingreplaceable fuse means comprising a fusible element; heat responsivetrigger means having a trigger pin extending into said secondcompartment; and thermal probe means having a first end thereofextending into said second compartment; said third compartment being atthe opposite end of said housing means and housing vacuum switch means;said vacuum switch means having a reciprocally mounted plunger meansextending into said second compartment; annular magnetic meanssurrounding said vacuum switch means and positioned in close proximityto said second compartment; said second compartment being intermediatesaid first and third compartments and housing operating means; saidoperating means comprising annular armature means positioned in closeproximity to said annular magnetic means; a pivotally mounted tripperbar mechanically linked to said armature; said trigger pin meanspositioned in close proximity to said tripper bar; said trigger pinmeans being responsive to current of a predetermined magnitude forrotating said tripper bar; bimetal means associated with said thermalprobe means; movable diaphragm means connected to said bimetal means andsaid tripper bar means; an operating mechanism comprising a togglemechanism having a first and second end and a knee pivot; said togglemeans first end connected to said diaphragm means; said toggle meanssecond end connected to said plunger means; spring means having astationary first end; said knee pivot being connected to said springmeans intermediate the ends thereof; operating lever means connected tothe second end of said spring means and movable in a first direction tocharge said spring means; said toggle means being moved to an extendedposition When said spring means is charged to close said vacuum switchmeans; said diaphragm being movable under control of either said tripperbar or said bimetal means to release said charged spring means causingsaid toggle means to collapse; said vacuum switch being opened when saidtoggle means collapses; said second compartment having a metalliccylindrical housing having a first end thereof electrically connected tosaid fuse means and a second end electrically connected to said vacuumswitch means; said metallic housing containing said operating means;said operating lever being electrically connected to said metallichousing; lightning arrester means electrically connected between saidoperating lever and ground potential to protect said vacuum switch fromcurrent surges; said housing assembly having first and second electrodeterminals at opposite ends thereof; drawout switch-gear carriage meanshaving upper and lower electrode terminals said fuse assembly secondelectrode being pivotally connected to said lower terminal; said fusedswitch assembly first electrode releaseably engaging said upperterminal.

8. Fused switch means comprising substantially cylindrical housing meansdivided into first, second and third compartments arranged in tandemfashion; said first compartment being at one end thereof and housingreplaceable fuse means comprising a fusible element; heat responsivetrigger means having a trigger pin extending into said secondcompartment; and thermal probe means having a first end thereofextending into said second compartment; said third compartment being atthe opposite end of said housing means and housing vacuum switch means;said vacuum switch means having a reciprocally mounted plunger meansextending into said second compartment; annular magnetic meanssurrounding said vacuum switch means and positioned in close proximityto said second compartment; said second compartment being intermediatesaid first and third compartments and housing operating means; saidoperating means comprising annular armature means positioned in closeproximity to said annular magnetic means; a pivotally 14 mounted tripperbar mechanically linked to said armature; said trigger pin meanspositioned in close proximity to said tripper bar; said trigger pinmeans being responsive to current of a predetermined magnitude forrotating said tripper bar; bimetal means associated with said thermalprobe means; movable diaphragm means connected to said bimetal means andsaid tripper bar means; an operating mechanism comprising a togglemechanism having a first and second end and a knee pivot; said togglemeans first end connected to said diaphragm means; said toggle meanssecond end connected to said plunger means; spring means having astationary first end; said knee pivot being connected to said springmeans intermediate the ends thereof; operating lever means connected tothe second end of said spring means and movable in a first direction tocharge said spring means; said toggle means being moved to an extendedposition when said spring means is charged to close said vacuum switchmeans; said diaphragm being movable under control of either said tripperbar or said bimetal means to release said charged spring means causingsaid toggle means to collapse; said vacuum switch being opened when saidtoggle means collapses; said second compartment having a metalliccylindrical housing having a first end thereof electrically connected tosaid fuse means and a second end electrically connected to said vacuumswitch means; said metallic housing containing said operating means;said operating lever being electrically connected to said metallichousing; lightning arrester means electrically connected between saidoperating lever and ground potential to protect said vacuum switch fromcurrent surges; said housing assembly having first and second electrodeterminals at opposite ends thereof; drawout switch-gear carriage meanshaving upper and lower electrode terminals said fuse assembly secondelectrode being pivotally connected to said lower terminal; said fusedswitch assembly first electrode releaseably engaging said upperterminal; second operating means for moving said fused switch assemblyfirst terminal into and out of engagement with said upper terminal; saidsecond operating means being mechanically and electrically linked tosaid lightning arrester means.

No references cited.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

1. FUSED SWITCH MEANS COMPRISING SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL HOUSING MEANSDIVIDED INTO FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD COMPARTMENTS ARRANGED IN TANDEMFASHION; SAID FIRST COMPARTMENT BEING AT ONE END THEREOF AND HOUSINGREPLACEABLE FUSE MEANS COMPRISING A FUSIBLE ELEMENT; HEAT RESPONSIVETRIGGER MEANS HAVING A TRIGGER PIN EXTENDING INTO SAID SECONDCOMPARTMENT; AND THERMAL PROBE MEANS HAVING A FIRST END THEREOFEXTENDING INTO SAID SECOND COMPARTMENT; SAID THIRD COMPARTMENT BEING ATTHE OPPOSITE END OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND HOUSING VACUUM SWITCH MEANS;AND VACUUM SWITCH MEANS HAVING A RECIPROCALLY MOUNTED PLUNGER MEANSEXTENDING INTO SAID SECOND COMPARTMENT; ANNULAR MAGNETIC MEANSSURROUNDING SAID VACUUM SWITCH MEANS AND POSITIONED IN CLOSE PROXIMITYOF SAID SECOND COMPARTMENT; SAID SECOND COMPARTMENT BEING INTERMEDIATESAID FIRST AND THIRD COMPARTMENTS AND HOUSING OPERATING MEANS; SAIDOPERATING MEANS COMPRISING ANNULAR ARMATURE MEANS POSITIONED IN CLOSEPROXIMITY TO SAID ANNULAR MAGNETIC MEANS; A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TRIPPERBAR MECHANICALLY LINKED TO SAID ARMATURE; SAID TRIGGER PIN MEANSPOSITIONED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID TRIPPER BAR SAID TRIGGER PIN MEANSBEING RESPONSIVE TO CURRENT OF A PREDETERMINED MAGNETUDE FOR ROTATINGSAID TRIPPER BAR; BIMETAL MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID THERMAL PROBEMEANS; MOVABLE DIAPHRAGM MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID BIMETAL MEANS AND SAIDTRIPPER BAR; MEANS AN OPERATING MECHANISM COMPRISING A TOGGLE MECHANISMHAVING A FIRST AND SECOND END AND A KNEE PIVOT; SAID TOGGLE MEANS FIRSTEND CONNECTED TO SAID DIAPHRAGM MEANS; SAID TOGGLE MEANS SECOND ENDCONNECTED TO SAID PLUNGER MEANS; SPRING MEANS HAVING A STATIONARY FIRSTEND; SAID KNEE PIVOT BEING CONNECTED TO SAID SPRING MEANS INTERMEDIATETHE ENDS THEREOF; OPERATING LEVER MEANS CONNECTED TO THE SECOND END OFSAID SPRING MEANS AND MOVABLE IN A FIRST DIRECTION TO CHARGE SAID SPRINGMEANS; AND TOGGLE MEANS BEING MOVED TO AN EXTENDED POSITION WHEN SAIDSPRING MEANS IS CHARGED TO CLOSED SAID VACUUM SWITCH MEANS: SAIDDIAPHRAGM BEING MOVABLE UNDER CONTROL OF EITHER SAID TRIPPER BAR TO SAIDBIMETAL MEANS TO RELEASE SAID CHARGED SPRING MEANS; CAUSING SAID TOGGLEMEANS TO COLLAPSE; SAID VACUUM SWITCH BEING OPENED WHEN SAID TOGGLEMEANS COLLAPSES.